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Donors to the Northeast Branch: Named Spaces

The Seattle Public Library Foundation has received thousands of generous contributions to the "Campaign for Seattle's Public Libraries." In recognition of their gifts of $50,000 and above, we are pleased to honor the following supporters with named physical spaces in the Northeast Branch of The Seattle Public Library.

Jodi Green and Mike Halperin Children's Area

Jodi Green and Mike Halperin love words and books, and are committed to a lifelong pursuit of learning. Along with their two children, they are library groupies who love to visit libraries wherever their travels lead them. Green and Halperin take pleasure in belonging to The Seattle Public Library system because it is a free community resource that welcomes everyone with open arms and offers a quiet place for the pursuit of knowledge. They love the words of Andrew Carnegie posted in the Central Library at the entrance to the administrative offices on Level 11: "There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration."

Faye G. Allen Reading Area

As a teacher, Faye G. Allen spent her professional life sparking the joy of reading among children. In her personal life, her love of books is demonstrated even in the design of her home, built around her own library and filled with favorite works chosen by her and her children, Jo Allen Patton and Paul G. Allen. Fully half of her large collection is composed of children's books. The Northeast Branch is proud to dedicate its Reading Area to Faye G. Allen, reflecting her celebration of the written word, her support of youth literacy, and her emphasis on libraries as a treasured resource for future generations.

Fred and Barbara Guptill Meeting Room

Fred and Barbara Guptill loved books. Their generous bequest to the Seattle Public Library was the last act in rich careers that centered on the role of libraries in empowering a literate populace.

Fred Guptill was born on July 14, 1930 in Seattle, as an only child of Fred Linden Guptill and Mildred Louise Carpenter Guptill. He was raised in Seattle, graduating from Lincoln High School and the University of Washington where he received his Master of Arts degree in History. He did a stint in the Navy and spent his career as a teacher and librarian for Seattle Public Schools. Fred loved to play bridge and was a master of the art. He also loved chess; one of his fondest memories was playing chess with John Wayne on one of the actor's visits to Seattle. Fred also enjoyed traveling, history and art. Fred died on December 5, 2013.

Barbara Jane Guptill was born in Bonners Ferry, Idaho on May 30, 1931 to Lee and Enid Williams. She was the youngest of five children. She graduated from the College of Idaho in 1952. Barbara moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, where she received her Master of Library and Information Sciences degree. She began working for the Seattle Public Library system in 1955. During her long career, she headed the adult-education department and then the Government Research Assistance Library before she became the director of downtown library services before her retirement in 1991. Barbara remained engaged in Seattle affairs post retirement, serving as Co-President of the League of Women Voters. Barbara died on March 31, 2003.

Fred and Barbara were married on Sept. 5, 1955. Fittingly, they met in the stacks of Suzzallo Library at the University of Washington where they learned of their shared love for books and each other.